'A most singular elect vessel of God': Bishop Bull on Protestant reverence for the Blessed Virgin Mary
We think and speak most respectfully of her, and do not ordinarily mention her name without a preface or epithet of honour, as "the holy," "the blessed" Virgin, and the like. We do, by the appointment of our Church, sing or rehearse in our daily service her excellent Magnificat; and thereby we testify our assent to, and complacence in, those singular favours that God is therein said to have bestowed on her; and, together with her, we finally return the praise and glory of all to God alone. We celebrate two annual festivals in her memorial, the Feasts of her Annunciation and Purification. And if we could think of any other honour that we could do her, without dishonouring God the Father, and His eternal Son, we would most willingly yield it to her. Wherefore the Papists* are themselves egregious calumniators, when they charge us Protestants, that we are beatæ Virginis conviciatores, "reproachers of the blessed Virgin." We defy their charge; we honour the blessed Virgin as a most singular elect vessel of God; as one in the highest degree of all mere mortals honoured by God: but therefore, we will not yield her any of that honour that is peculiar to God; for God Himself hath told us, that He "will not give His glory to another". She saith indeed, that "all generations should call her blessed;" but not that any generation should call upon her to bless them.
*This note is a regular reminder that while laudable Practice retains, for the purposes of accuracy, such terminology when quoting from historical documents, this is not at all to accept its contemporary usage. Contemporary use of this and related terms for fellow Christians is unacceptable and contrary to charity.
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